Distributor cap



Sept. 19, 1961 A. w, BUTTS 3,001,035

DISTRIBUTOR CAP Filed oct. 21, 195e Mlle.' 1"' JIT..

INVENTUR- ANDERSON W Bar/'s .Ex/544W Q? AfmR/VY United States PatentFiled Oct. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 7 68,813 3 Claims. (Cl. 2011-49) j 'Ifhisinvention relates to an ignition system distributor cap wherein thereare a number of upwardly extending, exposed terminals to which wires maybe applied to lead to spark plugs of an engine all in the usual and wellv known manner in respect to the wiring.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a simpliiieddistributor cap of the nature above indicated wherein the terminals forspark plug leads are exposed in such manner that spring cups orfrictional engaging terminals of the wires may be selectively pushedover these terminals wherein the terminal itselfin each instance formsthe male part of the connection.

In distributor caps heretofore known, it has been a usual practice toemploy a cap designed wherein there would be an external cup at eachelectrical terminal of the cap ranging in depth upwardly from a halfinch and then within thelcup there would be a female terminal also inycup form.V This structure presents a problem in that the cups wouldcollect moisture and consequently the capu would deteriorate bycracking. In Ian attempt to overcome that result, elastic sleeves orcuis would be provided on the wires so as to engage over the cups withthe idea of setting up a seal between the wire and the mouth of the cup.In time, in the lpresence of 'oil mist or vapor about the engine thesesleeves would open so that eventually moisture would appear within thecups in spite of the sleeves.

Therefore, it is a further primary object of my invention to provide astructure as herein described which eliminates all cups about theexterior of the distributor cap, and eliminates the flexible Acapcovering sleeves, all in avoidance of moisture collection about theterminals.

A still further primary object of my invention resides in the formationof individual moisture drainage areas about the cap from the centerthereof to the margin and with dielectric barriers between adjacentterminals.

These and many other objects of the invention including the simplicityof design permitting a cheaper method of molding the distributor cap asopposed to previous, well known designs, will become apparent to thoseversed in the art in the following description of one particular form ofthe invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of a structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a view in bottom plan;

FIG; 4 is a View in vertical section on the line 4--4 in FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a detail in vertical section on the line 5-5 in FIG.V l; and

FIG. 6 is a detail in partial section of a spark plug lead wireinterconnected with a cap terminal.

In the present form of the invention as now best known to me, .I providea cap which is generally cylindrical and from which cylindrical portion10, there is an outwardly flared base 11 for fitting over the base ofthe distributor (not shown).

There is an upper end closure completing the cup proper, this closurebeing designated by the numeral 12, Centrally disposed, there is aterminal post 13 molded in the closure 12, FIG. 2, to extend above thecap which is generally designated by the numeral 16, and also to extendinto the interior of the cap, FIG. 3, where it terminates in the usualmanner by a central button 14 generally made of carbon. This post 13 isthe post to which the secondary voltage output of a transformer. coil4'is' applied.

Arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation and centered-at aconstant distance from the center of thebutton 14, FIG. 3, are aplurality of spark plug distributor posts 15 herein shown as eight innumber such as would 1 be employed for an eight cylinder engine. Each ofthese posts 15 is molded in place at the time of forming thel cap 16 toextend vertically through the closure 12 in the manner as indicated inFIG. 4, where each of these posts 15 extends aboveY and below theclosure`12, upwardly by a wire terminal end 17 and inwardly by'aterminal 18 to bein close proximity to the usual revolving arm (notshown) of the distributor block of the distributor all in the manner asis well `known to those versed in the art, such block not constituting apart of the invention per se.

In reference to these terminal posts 13 and 15, it is to be noted thatclear access. from the outside is provided thereto without having toapproach these terminals through a sleeve or any other part of theclosure 12.

In order to reinforce the top closure 12, and also in order to provide alonger path of possible discharge be.

tween terminals, a number of radially extending ribs 19 are provided onthe under side of the closure 12, as indicated in FIGS. 35. Also on theupper or outer side of the closure 12, there -is a rib 20 radiallyextending from the center of the closure 12 to the outer circumferentialside of the cylindrical part 10 between adjacent posts 15. Any tendencyof a voltage to be transmitted across the cover either inside or outsidebetween .adjacent terminals is required to travel a path not only acrossthe cover, but up and over the outer ribs 20 or around and below theinner ribs 19 as the case might be.

As above indicated, the primary purpose of this invention is to providea male post on the distributor cup itself to be engaged by a femaleconnector on the end of a wire, as indicated in FIG. 6 where the tubularconnector 21 is engaged over a terminal post such as a post 13 or 15 asthe case may be. The connector 21 may be made in the usual and wellknown manner to engage by one length around the end of a wire 22, theconnector 21 having barbs 23 punched therefrom and extending into theconductor 24 of the wire 22. Also the lower end of the conductor 24bears against the upper end of the post 13 as viewed in FIG. 6. Theother portion of the length of the connector tube 21 has a number ofdetents elastically engaging under the shoulder 26 of the post 13 so asto retain the connector tube 21 in firm engagement with the post 13.

The cover 12, cylindrical portion 10, ared portion 11, and the ribs 19and 2.0 are `all made out of a moldable material such as one of thesynthetic plastics commonly employed for such purposes.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in the oneparticular form, it is obvious that structural details may be variedwithout departing from the spirit of the inventon, and I therefore donot desire to be limited to that precise structure beyond thelimitations which may be imposed bythe following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A distributor cap for use in an automotive vehicle with a distributorin an upright position, said cap comprising an inverted cup ofdielectric material with a circumferential wall and a dome-shaped topsloping downwardly to said wall, said cup having a plurality of rigidupright terminal posts sealed in said domeshaped top and having upperend portions projecting upwardly from said top, each of said pestshaving a substantially smooth peripheral surface and also having arecess positioned inwardly from the terminal end oi the post anddefining a retaining shoulder to hold a snap-on wire connector thereon,whereby to prevent collection of moisture at the Patented Sept. 19,1,961

terminal posts andthereby prevent formation of insulating corrosion andsplitting of the dielectric cup.

2. For use with the upright distributor andspark-carryingwiresofzanautomotive vehicle, the combination ,of a ldistributor cap comprising an inverted cup of dielectric material andbeing applicable to the top of thedistributor of; v,the automobile, said,cup having Aa circumferential andl a. domershaped. top slopingdownwardly toward said wall, a vplurality of rigid `upright terminalposts sealed kin thetopzan'd having upper 'end portionsprojecting'zupwardly fromthe top, the upper end portion of each ofrsaidpostshaving a diminished throat portion inwardly Aof: A,the 1 upperYend'thereof and dening a retaining shoulvto prevent. 'collection ofmoisture at the terminal posts and thereby prevent production ofinsulating corrosion and splitting ofthe cap.

i 3.@ForY use withA the upright distributor and sparkcarrying wires ovan automotive vehicle, the Ycombination,

of' a' distributor cap including an inverted cup of dielectric: materialapplicable to the distributor of the automobile and'having acircumferential wall and a domeshaped top sloping downwardly toward saidwall, a pluaco rosa rality of rigid upright terminal posts sealed -inthe top and having upper end portions projecting upwardly from the top,a plurality of connectors adapted for -axation secure relationship witheach other and permitting,erid-` Y wise separation thereof, whereby toprevent collection of water at the terminal posts and thereby prevent'formation of electrical insulating corrosion and prevent splitting;

- ofthefcup.

References Cited inthe tile of vthis patent 'UNITED 'STATES PATENTS1,203,693 1,415,369 Lehman May-9, 1222 1,907,428 Martin May -9-,.y19,33; 2,034,090v Douglas Mar.- 17, 1935. 2,301,571 Nowosielski Nov. l0,1942 2,358,971 Hallett Sept. 26,' 1944 2,364,095 Pederquist Dec. 5, 19442,464,533 Shearer Mar. 15,y 19,49, 2,769,047 Hartzell et al; Oct; 30,i956` FORElGN PATENTS p 1,095,568 France Dec. 22, 195;(

Brinton Nov. -7, 1916

